Rare Sound Design: Italian Alpha Syntauri Clone & Jen Musipack Restoration

video upload by Riccardo Pietroni

"In this video, we explore a fascinating piece of Italian musical heritage: a rare hardware clone of the Alpha Syntauri, likely part of the Jen Musipack project.

This specific setup features the (probably) cloned Mountain Computer cards. It’s a rare look at how this technology was adapted and distributed in Italy during the early 80s.

The Hardware Challenge:
I actually own the original Musipack keyboard, but due to its age, several keys are currently non-functional. To make this demonstration possible and play the system properly, I’ve paired the Italian hardware with an original Alpha Syntauri keyboard unit. It’s a perfect example of 80s cross-compatibility!

Same issue with the original Musipack Software which is no working correctly with the keyboard.

The Creative Process:

Sound Engine: Original Alphaplus software (Additive Synthesis).

Hardware: Music System digital oscillator cards (Jen Musipack clone of the original Mountain Computer).

Control: Original Alpha Syntauri Keyboard.

Recording & Sequencing: All sounds were captured and sequenced using the 1010music Blackbox (Bento).

The result is a unique blend of 8-bit grit and modern sequencing. The Alphaplus software allows for deep manipulation of harmonics, creating textures that range from cold, clinical digital tones to surprisingly lush, haunting pads."

Alphaplus made its first and only prior appearance on the site back in 2011 in a post fearturing Audio Damage's Phosphor.

According to Google AI: "AlphaPlus was a pioneering software package for the Apple II-based alphaSyntauri synthesizer system, enabling additive synthesis in the early 1980s. It allowed for polyphonic sound creation by stacking sine waves (harmonics), featuring 10 instruments, and providing deep manipulation of partials to produce distinct,, digital, or, lush, textures, as discussed on MATRIXSYNTH."

Check it out: 1980 Alpha Syntauri Computer Music System | Synth History

video upload by MR TUNA Music

"My friends, I present to you the complete 'alphaSyntauri' (Alpha Syntauri) Computer Music System circa 1980. I finally got it all set up and (mostly) functioning after buying this from a nice old lady in town. The old Apple II clone had a shot power supply so I found a new one and we're off to the races!!

This is a not-so-quick demo of some of the features I was able to coax into functioning, and a few sounds that came standard with this cool vintage computer music system."

RARE Alpha Syntauri Synthesizer System for Apple IIe

Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

"Ultra rare Alpha Syntauri Synthesizer System for Apple IIe w/ all hard- and software in great condition, incl. some NOS (new-old-stock) parts from my personal collection of vintage historic Sound Synthesis and Music Creation hard- and software.

—

These systems are a COLLECTOR DREAM, as they are incredibly hard to find in working condition and with all required components, software and documentation."

CLICK FOR MORE »

Syntauri AlphaSyntauri 1983 - Original Brochure

Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

"Original Syntauri AlphaSyntauri - Product brochure from 1983 This is pretty obscure, Strange stuff!


This brochure is in good condition, see photos for details"

CLICK FOR MORE »

Alpha Syntauri Keyboard Controller SN B001149

Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

Note this is just the keyboard controller. Check out the Alpha Syntauri label at the bottom of this post for more.

CLICK FOR MORE »

alpha Syntauri Digital Synth Disc Set vintage

Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

CLICK FOR MORE »

Alphasyntauri Synthesizer Interface for Apple II

Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

Looks new. Esoteric piece of synthesizer kit. Just cool that things like this exist for those that might need it.

"Alphasyntauri synthesizer interface card for Apple II
This is just the (hard to get) interface between the keyboard and the apple II.

For a full working Alphasyntauri you also need:
Mountain Hardware Music System (MCMS) board set (2 boards)
Alpha Plus software (at minimum)"

Audio Damage Phosphor 2 - alphaSyntauri Based iPad Synth Now Available

Now available on iTunes.

You can find two video demos of Audio Damage's Phosphor 2 just posted here.

Details follow:

"Phosphor is an unique instrument modeled on the alphaSyntauri, a vintage digital additive synth from the early 80s. The original alphaSyntauri required an Apple //e to operate, but we've gone ahead and eliminated the middle-man, and now you can have this classic digital synth in your iOS device, no 5.25" floppy drive necessary!

Featuring two additive oscillators (with the original 16 partial complement of the alphaSyntauri, or optionally with 32 or 64 partials), each with its own amp envelope, Phosphor's topology closely follows the alphaSyntauri, while adding many modern features such as full velocity control, a much more extensive modulation routing system, tempo synced LFOs, a pair of delays, and two monophonic modes. The noise and oscillators are able to work in the original alphaSyntauri "low-resolution" modes, or can be run in modern high-resolutions. Phosphor can accurately model the original sounds of the alphaSyntauri, yet still provide new paths for sonic exploration.

Features

• Two complete oscillator/envelope sections modeled on the original topology of the alphaSyntauri.

• Each set of partials can run in "lo-fi" mode, emulating the gritty digital voicing of original, or in a modern mode for alias-free sines.

• The noise can be either "lo-fi" digital shift-register noise per the original, or modern white noise.

• Two complete delay sections with LP/HP filtering and cross-feedback.

• Two tempo-syncable LFOs with multiple modulation destinations.

• A large complement of presets included that show off the extensive sound generating capabilities of Phosphor, including some famous alphaSyntauri presets directly ported from the original.

• XML preset system, with copy-to-clipboard, for sharing presets in forums and with your friends.

• AudioUnits V3 version for use in all AUv3 hosts, like AudioBus 3, AUM, BeatMaker 3, Cubasis 2, GarageBand, etc.

• Standalone version (with full single-panel UI) with Inter-App Audio and BlueTooth MIDI capability.

• iPhone version coming soon!"

Vintage Computer Synthesizers

Published on Nov 2, 2016 House of Angels

A bit of vintage computer synth history followed by a more recent overview of the Alpha Syntauri Digital Synthesizer. Also see this post for two other episodes of Computer Chronicles.

Playlist:
Computer Chronicles Computer Music 1984 Alpha Syntauri Synthesizer Apple II
Sampler Greengate DS3, Apple II - Stevie Martin aka Snowdome Science In Action BBC 1986
Sampling, Synths and Computer Music on UK TV 1984 Greengate DS3 - Mike Thorne Sampling, Synths and Computer Music on UK TV 1984
The Alpha Syntauri Digital Synthesizer - Apple II

Dragonborn Alphasyntauri Synthesizer

Published on Jan 3, 2016 Heimðallr Himinbjörg

"Just me playing Dragonborn on the Alphasyntauri which is a weird little synth. I do not own this song I am just playing credit goes to the copyright holder."

An Alpha Syntauri demo.

Vtg RARE ALPHA SYNTAURI

Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

"ESTATE Find in Excellent Cosmetic Condition - Untested but previously working and rarely used when put into dry storage with the original packaging. (see pics)

These Syntauri Synths are very usable, extremely desirable and incredibly rare, but almost never complete. This is a tremendous opportunity to buy one complete and in amazing condition.

KEYBOARD - Excellent Cosmetic Condition with the Original Box! AND YES, the mega rare to find foot pedal too...

SOFTWARE - Complete, including disks, original operations manuals & folder. Even includes the purchase receipt for $1,795 (without the computer) in the 1980s.

INTERFACE CARDS - Mountain Computer System Sound Card and Syntauri Interface hardware is included with original packaging.

MISC - Amazing find. Included is an original promotional 7" flexi-record with Syntauri music and sounds. Never removed from the promotional sleeve.

As mentioned above, the system is untested, but it is a 1-owner item that was stored away in excellent condition. You'll need a 1980s Apple 2 II (Approx $400-600) to run the software and use the synth.

LOCAL PICKUP receives a 5% Discount."

CLICK FOR MORE »

Making the Most of the Micro (7): Sounds Interesting

Published on Sep 10, 2012 Jesús Zafra·89 videos

BBC Micro Computer. Spotted an Alpha Syntauri in the intro as well.

"Episode 7 (Of 10). Broadcasted in BBC-2, 21 February 1983

Making the Most of the Micro was a TV series broadcast in 1983 as part of the BBC's Computer Literacy Project. It followed the earlier series The Computer Programme. Unlike its predecessor, Making the Most of the Micro delved somewhat deeper into the technicalities and uses that microcomputers could be put to, once again mainly using the BBC Micro in the studio for demonstration purposes. The series was followed by Micro Live.

List of Episodes:
----------------------------------------­----------------------------------
1. The Versatile Machine (10 January 1983)
2. Getting Down to BASIC (17 January 1983)
3. Strings and Things (24 January 1983)
4. Introducing Graphics (31 January 1983)
5. Keeping a Record (7 February 1983)
6. Getting Down to Business (14 February 1983)
7. Sounds Interesting (21 February 1983)
8. Everything Under Control (28 February 1983)
9. Moving Pictures (7 March 1983)
10. At the End of the Line (14 March 1983)"

This one in via Ununseptium warehouse

Skreened Synth Ts

http://skreened.com/synth

T-Shirts pictured here:
Alpha Syntauri Dragon
Fairlight CMI logo

Puremagnetik alphaSynth - Alpha Syntauri Sample Set

"A library of old-school computer sounds captured from a late 1970s 8-bit Apple ][ with an Alpha Syntauri music system."

Available at Puremagnetik

This set comes from Chris Randall of Analog Industries & Audio Damage, with more to follow: "It is a heavily re-tooled and much improved version of the sample set I used to have here that I made from the alphaSyntauri. They are much, much better at that sort of thing than I, what with doing it for a living and all, and the alphaSynth set is available in several formats, including Live Rack, Kontakt, and ESX Universal.

I've made a bunch of other samples for them with various pieces of Apple ][ based kit, and you can watch out for those in the future."

AlphaSyntauri Synthesizer with Original Box & Materials

via this auction

"AlphaSyntauri Synthesizer Keyboard with Mountain card and keyboard interface card... Item was aquired as surplus from a University. "

CLICK FOR MORE »

alphaSyntauri Demo 1

alphaSyntauri Demo 1 by RossT
"Improvisation on an alphaSyntauri Apple }{ system. Recorded and edited in Logic. The preset on the alphaSyntauri was stereo, processed through two digital delays and the channels were separated in the editing process. The deep bass/kick sound is from a soft-synth in logic."

Audio Damage Phosphor

via Analog Industries

"What it is: a two-oscillator 16-voice polysynth loosely based upon the topology of the alphaSyntauri additive synthesis add-on for the Apple ][+ and //e. We've added some modern features like the delays and mod routing, mono modes, and a "clean" setting for the sine waves and noise, in order to extend the capabilities of the synth past its original limits. But this plug is mainly designed for recreating the alphaSyntauri, and at that, it excels."

Update: video of the alphaSyntauri:


Vintage Sound Systems - AlphaSyntauri

YouTube via PineHillAstro | September 06, 2010 |

"The Alpha Syntauri was the flagship digital synthesizer produced by the Syntauri corporation in 1980. This short clip gives an overview of a unit I originally purchased in 1982, serial #A003184. The synthesis hardware engine is provided by the Mountain Computer synthesizer board set that mounted into bus slots within the Apple II. They supported 8 channels of 8-bit stereo audio. AlphaPlus is Syntauri's software application demonstrated here."

RARE alphaSyntauri Synthesizer Keyboard

via this auction

"This keyboard for the Apple II is a real gem for any Apple collector!"

Note the alphaSyntauri is used in Chris Randall's new micronaut album resistor, posted here.

CLICK FOR MORE »

micronaut - resistor

New album via micronaut, which is Chris Randall of Analog Industries and Audio Damage.

Bandcamp page with audio here

The album will feature the following on the synth front:
"Roland MKS-80
AlphaSyntauri
DSI TETR4
Moog The Source
Yamaha CS-5
Korg 770
Yamaha CP80B
Roland TR-909
Boss DR-110 (modded)

Plug-ins:
All Audio Damage FX
Audio Damage Tattoo
Fabfilter Timeless 2
NI Massive"

See if you can ID the synth in the album cover.

Info on the alphaSyntauri via Laurie Spiegel

See the bottom update in this post.